No Certificate, No Celebration: HC Puts Puja Grants on Pause

As West Bengal prepares for its most iconic festival, Durga Puja, the Calcutta High Court has issued a pivotal ruling that could reshape how public funds are distributed to thousands of Puja committees. In a decisive order delivered on August 27, 2025, the court declared that only those clubs and committees that submitted utilisation certificates for last year’s grants will be eligible for this year’s financial assistance.

This ruling comes amid rising concerns over transparency and accountability in the disbursement of public funds for cultural and religious events.

Key developments from the courtroom

1. The division bench of Justices Sujoy Paul and Smita Das De stated that clubs failing to submit last year’s expenditure details will not receive the enhanced grant of Rs 1.10 lakh announced by the state government earlier this month.
2. The court directed the West Bengal government to submit a detailed report after the Puja, outlining:
   - The number of clubs that received funds
   - The status of utilisation certificate submissions
   - Verification of those certificates by appropriate authorities

Background: The evolution of the Puja grant

- The Durga Puja grant was first introduced in 2018 at Rs 10,000 per club.
- It increased to Rs 25,000 in 2019 and continued to rise annually.
- In 2024, the grant stood at Rs 85,000, with over Rs 350 crore distributed to Puja committees.
- For 2025, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a 30 percent hike, bringing the grant to Rs 1.10 lakh per club—impacting over 40,000 committees and costing the exchequer approximately Rs 500 crore.

Accountability under the scanner

- The High Court’s order follows two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) challenging the legality of using state funds for religious festivities.
- One PIL, filed by Durgapur resident Sourav Dutta, questioned the constitutional validity of such grants and demanded stricter financial oversight.
- The court emphasized that accountability must precede celebration, stating that action must be taken before the Puja, not after.

Utilisation certificate status: What the numbers say

- According to Advocate General Kishore Dutta:
   - In Kolkata, 2,876 clubs received funds and submitted certificates.
   - Across districts, 41,799 clubs received grants; 41,795 encashed them.
   - Of these, 41,792 submitted utilisation certificates.
   - Only three clubs—under Siliguri Police Commissionerate—failed to comply.

Opposition and public debate

- Critics, especially from Left parties, argue that the grant blurs the line between religion and governance, potentially politicizing public celebrations.
- They accuse the government of using taxpayer money to curry favor with cultural organizations, especially in an election-sensitive climate.

Court’s stand on timing and compliance

- The bench rejected the state’s suggestion to hear the matter after the Puja, asserting that the issue loses relevance post-festival.
- Justice Paul reiterated that clubs must submit this year’s utilisation details within one month of Bijoya Dashami to the Director General of State Police and the Commissioner of Kolkata Police.

Looking ahead: Implications for Puja committees

- With the Durga Puja Carnival scheduled for October 5 and festivities beginning in late September, clubs now face a race against time to ensure compliance.
- The ruling is expected to impact over 10,000 clubs that may not have submitted certificates on time, potentially excluding them from this year’s grant.

Final thought

This judgment marks a pivotal moment in the intersection of culture, governance, and public accountability. As Bengal prepares for its most cherished festival, the message from the judiciary is clear: celebration must be backed by responsibility.

Sources: Indian Express, The Hindu, Hindustan Times, India Today